WISBECH: Fifth of the staff at Pike Textiles lose jobs but company has new plan to help out

A FIFTH of the staff at Pike Textiles in Wisbech has been made redundant after orders fell away after Christmas.

The company, which says it has come through every recession for the last 100 years, has shed 19 jobs at its two locations in North End and in Nene Parade.

Managing Director Jon Allen said: "We expected and planned for less work this year but the reduction in orders since Christmas from most regular customers for fabric and wallpaper books has been such that we now have to make cuts.

"It's such a shame that this is necessary when we were so busy only last September and we have a strong business which has come through every recession for the last 100 years."

Mr Allen said a new initiative, called Pike Solutions, has been set up to boost work but "despite this new initiative, Pike has had to announce 19 redundancies from its total staff of 99".

He added: "Our new Pike Solutions venture shows just how the resourcefulness and commitment of our staff make the difference in tough times, and how fresh opportunities emerge in every recession."

He said that Pike Textile Display, which produced wallpaper and fabric books, has come up with the new venture to offer a range of specialist services to other businesses in the region looking to make efficiency savings.

Finance Director Simon Edwards said: "We looked at all our in-house skills and realised we can offer services like assembly and fulfilment. This is in addition to our core finished products like binders, albums and notebooks which can be screen-printed or foil-blocked."

"We have had early discussions with a number of people, including one in the Norwich area. At times like these we all have to be creative and resourceful."

Anyone interested should contact Simon Edwards on 01945 461361 or solutions@pike-textiles.com.